UNDER THE TABLE & EATING

Bar Harbor Catering Company's adventures in eating, traveling, &​doing business in this great wide world of food.​

Finding the perfect venue for your wedding or event can be a challenging task. The cost of each venue is undoubtedly one of the deciding factors in which venue to choose. But before you sign the dotted lines, or even assign a budget amount to your venue, it is important to consider what you are actually paying for, and most importantly, what hidden fees you still may have to cough up even after you’ve paid what you thought was a one and done venue rental fee.

What is the length of the rental?Some rentals are simply for the day of the event only, others are for the whole weekend, from Friday afternoon until late Sunday morning. What’s the difference? Day only rentals can be difficult especially if you are planning on hiring a rental company, or would like to do lots of set-up on your own. While a lower rate for a 24 hour period may seem like a great deal, consider whether or not you’d like to be setting up (and breaking down) your event on your actual wedding day. We encourage our couples to get all of the dirty work done the day prior to the wedding, allowing them to enjoy (and not work) on their wedding day! Having a bit of time on Sunday morning allows for the final clean up to take place in the light of day, and for you to pick up gifts and decor in a more leisurely time frame.

Who is going to Clean-up?Congratulations, you’re married and the reception was a resounding success! Now that your guests have gone home though, who’s going to clean-up? Knowing beforehand, who is responsible for the final clean up of the event space and what the venue’s specific interpretation of “clean” means, is another important question to ask. Some venues require that you leave the venue exactly as you found it, completely swept, mopped, and toilets scrubbed; others are happy for you to remove your decor and not much else. It’s good to know these things beforehand so you don’t get stuck without a security deposit or clean-up fee while basking in the glow of your post-reception glow. ​

You’re newly engaged and have decided to take your wedding on the road: you’re coming to Downeast Maine! Congratulations! With the breathtaking scenery, friendly people and fantastic wedding options, it’s no secret why more and more people are coming to our beloved state to marry their beloved. While this is a most exciting time for newly engaged couples, it also can prove to be a very stressful one. Planning a wedding close to home can be a taxing part time job, planning one from afar, often from halfway across the country or more can have you contemplating a courthouse elopement before you’ve booked your first vendor.

Having planned hundreds of weddings, many of which are with couples that do not live in Maine, our team at Bar Harbor Catering Company certainly have had a unique perspective on what works and what doesn’t when it comes to planning from afar. There have been tears of joy and tears of other sorts, but we’re here to share some of what we’ve learned to help you create the magical Maine wedding you’ve been dreaming of.

Make a budget and PrioritizeAs with any wedding, it’s important to discuss which facets of the day are the most important to you individually and as a couple. Make a list of “must -haves” and allot the budget accordingly. (Yes, you should also have a budget. Sigh.) Are you a big foodie who wants to lavish their guests with a five course sit down meal? A music fan who needs a peppy live band? Been dreaming of an island wedding and the location is set in stone? Whatever your non-negotiables are, be sure to write a list to refer to throughout these initial planning stages. (Keep it handy — you’ll need it later!)

Be Flexible!With the growing popularity of Maine as a wedding destination, it’s important to have some degree of flexibility as you are starting to piece together your dream day. If your date is firm, it is helpful to be flexible on some of your vendors, and alternatively, if you are set on your venue (or other high priority vendors), it is helpful to be flexible on dates.

The InterviewWhen you are ready to start reaching out to vendors, you are essentially “interviewing" companies for a coveted spot on your wedding’s “A” team. Don’t disregard things like the time it takes a vendor to respond (this sets the stage for how long you’ll be waiting during your entire planning process), the clarity with which they are able to answer your questions and how well they align with your priorities list and budget. Ask about total (or hidden costs), the timeframe within which you are allowed to make changes and if there are fees for doing so. For more detailed look at the total potential costs of your venue, read more here.

Don’t overlook the obvious — be sure to ask about whether or not the vendor is available on your date and how they handle bookings. You are not officially booked with most vendors unless they have a signed contract and deposit in hand, no matter how many times you’ve chatted. Don’t be afraid to ask if there are other clients that have inquired about your date, or if they are willing to give you first refusal on the date. To help avoid disappointment, when you know you’d like to book, let them know ASAP.

Kate Crabtree Photo

Check References! Don’t hesitate to ask your vendors for referrals for other vendors. Vendor to vendor referrals are the creme de la creme of references. These are usually based on repeated interactions, on multiple event sites with all sorts of couples and event specifics. Simply put, great vendors want to work with other great vendors and they’re usually eager to share which companies are among their favorites.